Broad Complex Tachycardias Flashcards
What is a broad complex tachycardia?
ECG shows rate >100 and QRS complexes >120ms
How should you describe the ECG if there is a typical BBB pattern?
A SVT with BBB/A SVT with aberrancy
How does ventricular tachycardia arise?
Results from circuits, or focuses of rapidly firing cells.
QRS broad but all have the same amplitude
What does ventricular fibrillation look like?
Irregular, disorganized QRS complexes with different amplitudes
What is torsade de pointes tachycardia?
What does the ECG look like?
What is a predisposing factor?
A ventricular circuit that has a rotating plane.
The ECG has a varying axis.
Elongated QT interval is a predisposing factor.
What is a fusion beat?
A normal beat fuses with a VT complex creating an unusual complex
What is a capture beat?
A normal QRS amongst VT.
Means BBB or metabolic causes cannot be present.
What is ventricular bigemony?
A ventricular ectopic every other beat.
If in doubt about the ECG, what should you treat as?
Ventricular tachycardia
What is the immediate management for a patient with VT?
- A - E
- If unstable, sedate and DC cardioversion
- Correct K+, Mg+, Ca2+
- Amiodarone 300mg IV over 20 mins
What are causes of torsades de pointes?
- AV block
- Hypokalaemia
- Hypomagnesia
- Drug induced long QT (amiodarone, sotalol, class 1A antiarrythmics, TCA’s, terfenadine in combo with -azoles)
What is the treatment for VF?
Non synchronised DC shock
After 3 shocks, what drugs can you give?
- Adrenaline 1mg IV every 3-5 mins
2. Amiodarone 300mg IV
